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Avis, Paul

Beyond the Reformation? Authority, Primacy and Unity in the Conciliar Tradition

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Beyond the Reformation? sheds fresh light on divisive issues of authority in the Christian Church and puts them in a new historical and ecumenical perspective. Against the background of the perennial tension between the mystical and the institutional dynamics in the life of the Church, it goes beyond the tragic divisions of the Reformation era in two major ways. First, it examines the power struggles of the medieval period, the largely abortive attempts at reform, and the theological solutions to apparently intractable divisions that were proposed by the Conciliar Movement and enacted by the reforming councils of the fifteenth century. It shows how the legacy of conciliar theology was both continued and modified by the Continental and Anglican Reformers and how this has shaped the churches in the modern world. It examines the question of continuity and discontinuity in the Reformation, seeing that event as an unresolved argument within the family of the Western Church. But this book also seeks to move beyond the Reformation in a second way. Drawing on Roman Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox and Anglican theology, the book explores the theme of conciliar and primatial authority in relation to the ecumenical quest for reconciliation and unity in the fragmented Church of today. In this major, ground-breaking work, Anglican theologian and ecumenist Paul Avis adds to his repertoire of studies of authority in the Christian Church, brings together historical, confessional and ecumenical aspects of ecclesiology, and charts a course for convergence between the major traditions on the thorny questions of authority, primacy and unity.

A New History of Christianity in China, written by one of the world's the leading writers on Christianity in China, looks at Christianity's long history in China, its extraordinarily rapid rise in the last half of the twentieth century, and charts its future direction. The book provides the first comprehensive history of Christianity in China, an important, understudied area in both Asian studies and religious history.

Content:
Introduction.
1. The Nestorian Age and the Mongol Mission, 635-1368.
2. The Jesuit Mission of Early Modern Times and its Fate.
3. Protestant Beginnings, Catholics Redux, and China's first Indigenous Christians, 1800-1860.
4. Expansion and Institution-building in a Declining Dynasty, 1860-1902.
5. The "Golden Age" of Missions and the "Sino-Foreign Protestant Establishment," 1902-1927.
6. The Multiple Crises of Chinese Christianity, 1927-1950.
7. Christianity and the New China, 1950-1966.
8. The Chinese Church from the end of the Cultural Revolution to the early Twenty-first century.
Appendix: The Russian Orthodox Church and Ecclesiastical Mission to China.
Bibliography.
Index.

Reforming the Church before Modernity considers the question of ecclesial reform from late antiquity to the 17th century, and tackles this complex question from primarily cultural perspectives, rather than the more usual institutional approaches. The common themes are social change, centres and peripheries of change, monasticism, and intellectuals and their relationship to reform. This innovative approach opens up the question of how religious reform took place and challenges existing ecclesiological models that remains too focussed on structures in a manner artificial for pre-modern Europe. Several chapters specifically take issue with the problem of what constitutes reform, reformations, and historians' notions of the periodization of reform, while in others the relationship between personal transformation and its broader social, political or ecclesial context emerges as a significant dynamic. Presenting essays from a distinguished international cast of scholars, the book makes an important contribution to the debates over ecclesiology and religious reform stimulated by the anniversary of Vatican II

This selection of writings from the most important moments in the history of Christianity has become established as a classic reference work, providing insights into 2000 years of Christian theological and political debate. While retaining the original material selected by Henry Bettenson, Chris Maunder has added a substantial section of more recent writings. These illustrate the Second Vatican Council; the theologies of liberation; Church and State from 'Thatcher's Britain' to Communist Eastern Europe; Black, feminist, and ecological theology; ecumenism; and inter-faith dialogue. The emphasis on moral debate in the contemporary churches is reflected in selections discussing questions about homosexuality, divorce, AIDS, and in-vitro fertilization, amongst other issues.

This further expanded fourth edition brings the anthology up-to-date with a new section looking at issues facing the twenty-first century churches. This includes extracts exploring the churches' responses to questions of social justice, international politics, trade and debt, environmental change, and technological development. New material also covers the global growth of Christianity, the progress of Christian unity, and mission in multi-faith and postmodern societies.

"The Guide" is quite unlike any other book about Christianity. It approaches Christianity as a foreign land, which it is for a very large number of people. Written at the level of a serious daily newspaper, it introduces readers to the very different forms of Christianity as they are to be found today on all the continents: to its geographical spread; to its history; to its great works of art from cathedrals to paintings, sculpture and music; to its values and ethical responses to the great issues of the day; to its contrasting forms of prayer and worship; to its Bible and the thinking based on it; to its belief in God. More than 200 contributors, a team of scholars from the United States, Europe and the British Commonwealth who are all experts in their subjects, have written more than 300 major articles which the book contains. In addition, more than 150 provide succinct summaries of information on a whole variety of issues, supplemented by a Who's Who of key figures, along with illustrations, diagrams and time charts, and a comprehensive index. "The Guide" assumes that its readers are completely unfamiliar with Christianity and is focussed primarily on them: not a single word or idea goes unexplained. But at the same time it is based on a wealth of scholarship, so that it can serve as an authoritative reference work. And for those who do not so much want information as an answer to the fundamental questions of evil, suffering, death and the meaning of life, it offers possible answers based on the resources of the Christian tradition.

This pioneering study of Australian, New Zealand, and Pacific Christianity opens up new perspectives on Christianization and modernization in this richly complex region. The reception of Christianity into Pacific cultures has produced strongly Christian societies. Based on research in widely scattered archives, this book not only deals with regional interactions but pays careful attention to developments in microstates, and to the variety of indigenous religious movements, which were earlier regarded as deviations from Christian orthodoxy but are now seen as significant adaptations of Christian teaching. In Australia and New Zealand too, European Christian beginnings have been given local emphases, producing Churches with distinctive identities. Lay leadership is emphasized - not only in the Churches but as part of the Christian presence in the realms of politics, business, and culture. The broad liturgical, theological, constitutional, and pastoral developments of the 19th and 20th centuries are mapped, as a context for the striking changes which have taken place since the 1960s. The dynamics of religious change and conflict, the ambiguities of religious authority, and the destructive effects of Christian colonialism on indigenous communities, especially Australian aborigines, are all frankly dealt with. The decline of the institutional impact of the Churches in Australia and New Zealand is explored, as is the growth of partnership between government and Churches in education, social welfare, and overseas aid and development. Interchange in personnel and ideas is strikingly illustrated in the missionary activities of the regional Churches and their cultural impact. The author's involvement in Church and community leadership, ecumenism, and theological education makes this volume in the Oxford History of the Christian Church a valuable addition to the series, describing both continuities with world Christianity and little-known local developments.

Christians in the Twenty-First Century presents a new approach to understanding the Christian faith. While many introductions seek to encompass Christianity's history and theology, this new book treats Christianity as it is understood and practised by its present-day followers. The book explores what it means to be a practising Christian in a variety of traditions and countries, as well as the way it is expressed in 'cultural' and 'commercial' Christianity. After addressing traditional issues: the Jesus debate and Paul's impact on Christianity, the authors explore a number of key Christian concepts: the Bible, the Creeds, the Church and the sacraments. After outlining the major traditions - Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy and Protestantism - a number of recent movements and issues are examined: the effects of the European Enlightenment and the rise of science, new approaches to biblical scholarship, and the fundamentalist movement. Present-day issues include the ecumenical movement; the ordination of women, secularisation, the inter-faith movement, and the impact of the electronics revolution. Although aimed initially at students, Christians in the Twenty-First Century is of interest to any layperson who seeks to understand the Christian faith. It presupposes no prior knowledge of Christianity, but nevertheless presents the complexity of the world's largest faith.

Drawing together international and Indian sources, and new research on the ground in South India, this book presents a unique examination of the inculturation of Christian Worship in India. Paul Collins examines the imperatives underlying the processes of inculturation - the dynamic relationship between the Christian message and cultures, and then explores the outcomes of those processes in terms of architecture, liturgy and ritual and the critique offered of these outcomes, especially by Dalit theologians. This book highlights how the Indian context has informed global discussions, and how the decisions of World Council of Churches, Vatican II and Lambeth Conferences have impacted upon the Indian context.

The world Methodist community now numbers over 75 million people in more than 130 countries. The story of Methodism is fascinating and multi-faceted because there are so many distinct traditions within it, some stemming directly from Britain and some arising in the United States. In this book, the authors address the issue of what holds all Methodists together and examine the strengths and diversity of an influential major form of Christian life and witness. They look at the ways in which Methodism has become established throughout the world, examining historical and theological developments, and patterns of worship and spirituality, in their various cultural contexts. The book reflects both the lasting contributions of John and Charles Wesley, and the on-going contribution of Methodism to the ecumenical movement and inter-religious relations. It offers both analysis and abundant resources for further study.

This concise one-volume dictionary covers some 1450 existing and defunct Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Protestant orders, with additional entries covering the major and lesser-known chivalric Orders as well as many of the newer Secular Institutes and Lay Movements. It provides details otherwise found only in current multi-volume works and antiquarian sources, mostly in Italian or French, and in small information books produced by the various Orders. Each entry is arranged in two parts. An information section lists the current headquarters, the date of foundation and the name of the founder, together with details of the original habit. There then follows a brief history of the Order and an account of the present-day activities of the communities. Sub-families of the major Orders have also been included.

This interdisciplinary introduction offers students a truly global overview of the worldwide spread and impact of Christianity. It is enriched throughout by detailed historic and ethnographic material, showing how broad themes within Christianity have been adopted and adapted by Christian denominations within each major region of the world. * Provides a comprehensive overview of the spread and impact of world Christianity* Contains studies from every major region of the world, including Africa, Asia, Latin America, the North Atlantic, and Oceania* Brings together an international team of contributors from history, sociology, and anthropology, as well as religious studies* Examines the significant social, cultural, and political transformations in contemporary societies brought about through the influence of Christianity* Takes a non-theological approach, focusing instead on the impact of and response to Christianity * Discusses Protestant, Evangelical, Catholic, and Orthodox forms of the faith* Features useful maps and illustrations* Combines broader discussions with detailed regional analysis, creating an invaluable introduction to world Christianity

This book offers an authoritative overview of the history of evangelicalism as a global movement, from its origins in Europe and North America in the first half of the eighteenth century to its present-day dynamic growth in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Oceania. Starting with a definition of the movement within the context of the history of Protestantism, it follows the history of evangelicalism from its early North Atlantic revivals to the great expansion in the Victorian era, through to its fracturing and reorientation in response to the stresses of modernity and total war in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It describes the movement's indigenization and expansion toward becoming a multicentered and diverse movement at home in the non-Western world that nevertheless retains continuity with its historic roots. The book concludes with an analysis of contemporary worldwide evangelicalism's current trajectory and the movement's adaptability to changing historical and geographical circumstances.

The World's Christians: Who They are, Where They are, and How They Got There

Written by an award-winning author, this well-organized and comprehensive introduction to global Christianity illuminates the many ways the world's Christians live their faith today.
* Covers the entire globe: Africa, Asia, and Latin America as well as Europe, North America, and the Pacific
* Provides impartial, in-depth descriptions of the world's four major Christian traditions: Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant, and Pentecostal/Charismatic
* Utilizes the best available sources to produce an up-to-date profile of demographic trends in the Christian population
* Blends history, sociology, anthropology, and theology to create a rich, multi-layered analysis of the world Christian movement
* Features clear maps and 4-color illustrations throughout the volume

The World`s Christians. Who they are, Where they are, and How they got there

Written by an award-winning author, this well-organized and comprehensive introduction to global Christianity illuminates the many ways the world's Christians live their faith today.
* Covers the entire globe: Africa, Asia, and Latin America as well as Europe, North America, and the Pacific
* Provides impartial, in-depth descriptions of the world's four major Christian traditions: Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant, and Pentecostal/Charismatic
* Utilizes the best available sources to produce an up-to-date profile of demographic trends in the Christian population
* Blends history, sociology, anthropology, and theology to create a rich, multi-layered analysis of the world Christian movement
* Features clear maps and 4-color illustrations throughout the volume

How does one graphically portray ''Lutheran'' Sweden or ''Catholic'' Spain, where 98% of the population is claimed but only 3.6% and 15%, respectively, are actually practicing? How many Orthodox Christians are left in Russia and other states of the former USSR? How to reckon the number and life of Christians persecuted in China or Indonesia? Atlases are generally limited to sketching political hegemony, along ethnic and national lines. Indeed, the first 1500 years of Christianity can be largely conveyed by graphics that are primarily geographical. Yet as we approach the modern period, where the creedal preferences of rulers and governments are no longer determinative, and the bonds of the old ethnic religions have slackened, the geographical portrayal of religion becomes problematic. Franklin Littell's method in this Illustrated History of Christianity is best conveyed by the term ''confrontation.'' He highlights those times and places of crisis and decision which the shape and direction of the Christian movement was determined. Particular attention is paid to the interaction of Christians and Jews and to the encounter of Christianity and Islam.

A major new introduction to the global history of Christianity, written by one of the world's leading theologians and author of numerous bestselling textbooks.
* Provides a truly global review by exploring the development of Christianity and related issues in Asia, Latin America and Africa, and not just focusing on Western concerns
* Spanning more than two millennia and combining elements of theology, history, and culture, it traces the development of all three branches of Christianity -- Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox -- providing context to Christianity's origins and its links to Judaism
* Looks beyond denominational history at Christianity's impact on individuals, society, politics, and intellectual thought, as well as on art, architecture, and the natural sciences
* Combines McGrath's acute historical sensibility with formidable organizational skill, breaking the material down into accessible, self-contained historical periods
* Offers an accessible and student-oriented text, assuming little or no advance theological or historical knowledge on the part of the reader

A History of Christian Missions traces the expansion of Christianity from its origins in the Middle East to Rome, the rest of Europe and the colonial world, and assesses its position as a major religious force worldwide. Many of the world's religions have not actively sought converts, largely because they have been too regional in character. Buddhism, Islam and Christianity, however, are the three chief exceptions to this, and Christianity in particular has found a home in almost every country in the world. Professor Stephen Neill's comprehensive and authoritative survey examines centuries of missionary activity, beginning with Christ and working through the Crusades and the colonization of Asia and Africa up to the present day, concluding with a shrewd look ahead to what the future may hold for the Christian Church.

The book addresses the theme of the Second African Synod "Reconciliation, Justice, and Peace" in the wider context of globalization, post-modernity, and other pertinent factors that shape the contemporary church and society in Africa

Conciliarism is one of the oldest and most essential means of decision-making in the history of the Christian Church. Indeed, as a leading Orthodox theologian Alexander Schmemann states, 'Before we understand the place and the function of the council in the Church, we must, therefore, see the Church herself as a council.' Paul Valliere tells the story of councils and conciliar decision-making in the Christian Church from earliest times to the present. Drawing extensively upon the scholarship on conciliarism which has appeared in the last half-century, Valliere brings a broad ecumenical perspective to the study and shows how the conciliar tradition of the Christian past can serve as a resource for resolving conflicts in the Church today. The book presents a conciliarism which involves historical legacy, but which leads us forward, not backward, and which keeps the Church's collective eyes on the prize - the eschatological kingdom of God.

Conciliarism is one of the oldest and most essential means of decision-making in the history of the Christian Church. Indeed, as a leading Orthodox theologian Alexander Schmemann states, 'Before we understand the place and the function of the council in the Church, we must, therefore, see the Church herself as a council.' Paul Valliere tells the story of councils and conciliar decision-making in the Christian Church from earliest times to the present. Drawing extensively upon the scholarship on conciliarism which has appeared in the last half-century, Valliere brings a broad ecumenical perspective to the study and shows how the conciliar tradition of the Christian past can serve as a resource for resolving conflicts in the Church today. The book presents a conciliarism which involves historical legacy, but which leads us forward, not backward, and which keeps the Church's collective eyes on the prize - the eschatological kingdom of God.

Moving beyond the missionary perspective, this book adopts a historian's approach to the documentation of Christianity in the region. Webster's first-hand knowledge of social dynamics of the region as well as familiarity with sources form the basis of this socio-cultural history of the Christians in India. Wide in its scope, his narrative reaches back to the early days of the Europeans in India, as well as strides forward in meeting the challenges of modern India like religious conversion and identity of Indian Christians. From tracking down the elusive Ditt in Indian Christian history to the understanding of Christianity through the perspectives of subalterns like women and Dalits, this book furthers a case for the interpretation of Indian social history through Christian history of the region.